EDITORIAL: RI’s Failed Vaccination Program - Raimondo Broke It, McKee Needs to Fix It

EDITORIAL: RI’s Failed Vaccination Program - Raimondo Broke It, McKee Needs to Fix It

Rhode Island should be the state that is most efficient at implementing a comprehensive vaccination program. Just a little more than 1 million people are all living within 55 miles of one another.

But, the program has been mismanaged and is now turning into another Rhode Island failure.

The program needs new leadership and it needs a new strategy. It needs to be based on risk and science -- not agendas and special favors.

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According to the CDC, Rhode Island has received 149,255 doses.

The Rhode Island Department of Health has only administered 42% of the doses — 63,249 doses.

The program now six weeks old has yet to vaccinate more than 3,000 a day.

There are no drive-up vaccinations. There are no mass vaccinations.

There is no clear prioritization of who is getting vaccinations. There are more than 50,000 doses sitting on shelves.

There is chaos.

“Rhode Islanders 50 and older account for nearly 98% of the state’s more than 2,000 COVID total deaths,” said AARP Rhode Island State Director Kathleen Connell. “The Governor and State Leaders must revise the vaccination plan so that it focuses on the most vulnerable among us.”

Rhode Island's two largest hospital groups  — Lifespan and Care New England — jumped their non-medical wealthy and influential board members over the sick, the elderly and teachers. Governor Gina Raimondo, incoming Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health said nothing.

They were all silent. 

Rhode Island’s vaccination program is broken and lacks credibility. Raimondo won’t fix it. It is time for Rhode Island's new Governor Dan McKee to correct it fast.